FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas quarterback Ty Storey was upset during the Razorbacks' scoring drive in the third quarter at Auburn at the end of his 4-yard run, which set up fourth and 2 at the Auburn 26.
After Storey was down, Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson reached his hand inside Storey's face mask and jabbed a finger in his right eye.
"He definitely got a finger in my eye," Storey said. "It actually popped my contact out. I guess that's part of the game. I thought it was kind of dirty. But it's whatever. It's part of the game. We had some talk about that."
Storey was trying to point out the incident to an official, which the SEC Network announcing crew of Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers picked up on, just as Arkansas was calling timeout to discuss the fourth-down call.
Replays clearly showed Davidson commit the unsportsmanlike move.
"We were pretty heated about that," Storey said. "It's not good."
Cole Kelley came in at quarterback and converted the fourth and 2 on a 2-yard run, which had to be measured by the officiating crew.
The extra time gave Storey a chance to get another contact because he was having trouble seeing out of his right eye before Arkansas called timeout.
"I was trying to catch the snap with one eye," Storey said. "Our training staff is always well prepared. They popped a new one in, and we were ready to go."
The Razorbacks drove to the Auburn 11 before Connor Limpert came on to kick a 29-yard field goal.
Personnel report
Starting tailback Devwah Whaley wore a yellow (no-contact) jersey at practice Tuesday and did not participate during the first four periods open to the media.
Whaley was slammed to the grass on a toss play in the third quarter at Auburn and did not return after leaving the field wobbly. Indications are he is in concussion protocol, although Coach Chad Morris did not confirm it on Monday. He said he would provide an update today.
Receivers La'Michael Pettway and De'Vion Warren wore green (limited contact) jerseys, along with offensive tackle Noah Gatlin and linebacker Deon Edwards.
Pettway's injury was not apparent during Saturday's loss at Auburn. Warren suffered an ankle or foot injury in practice two weeks ago and missed games against North Texas and Auburn.
Neither Pettway's nor Edwards' injury has been discussed by Morris.
Easing back
The Razorbacks worked out in shorts and shoulder pads, called "half pack," on an unseasonably hot 85-degree day on the practice fields Tuesday.
The lighter load helped the Razorbacks practice faster.
"It's so we can be fresher, so we can be fresh on Saturday," defensive tackle T.J. Smith said. "You want to see guys moving around fast today and not having those pants on and knee pads on so you can move better on Saturday."
The decision to do it came from Coach Chad Morris listening to the team's leadership council.
"I think Coach Morris is doing a tremendous job of including us in the planning of things," senior guard Hjalte Froholdt said, referencing the council.
"He asked if there's anything we need to change, and we came up said, 'Hey, Coach, how about half-pack once a week?' He was like, 'You know, fine, I'll take care of you guys. We're going to go half-pack the whole week.' He listens to us.
"He's not so simple-minded that, 'Oh, if I put down full pads, that's how it's going to be.' "
Hogs and Aggies
Arkansas will be the designated road team for Saturday's 11 a.m. game against Texas A&M in the eighth edition of the Southwest Classic series at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 41-30-3, but they are trying to break a six-game losing streak to the Aggies, who have tied their longest winning streak in the series.
Nerves wracked
Sophomore Ty Clary made his seventh career start Saturday, but his first at center. Clary, who made four starts at right guard in 2017 and two at left guard this year, began learning the position in spring and switched places with Hjalte Froholdt.
"My first start at center, it was nerve-wrecking," Clary said. "After that first play it's just like any other play. You get into a feeling for the game, and you just go and don't think about it anymore."
Clary said he enjoys playing the spot and feels natural there.
"I have two guys right next to me, between Hjalte and Johnny [Gibson]," he said. "They help me out a lot so I feel really comfortable there.
"They helped me out if I make a little mistake. If I don't ID the front correctly, they'll correct me on that real quick."
Special day
Auburn defensive back Noah Igbinoghene was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the Tigers' 34-3 victory over Arkansas.
Igbinoghene had a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter after Arkansas had pulled within 17-3. He also posted two tackles and forced a fumble on defense that set up a 40-yard return and an Auburn field goal.
Turnover twist
Arkansas has fallen to minus 2 in turnover margin after losing that category 2-0 at Auburn. It was the first game this season the Razorbacks did not post a takeaway.
Texas A&M is No. 114 in turnover margin and is last in the FBS with one takeaway, an interception by linebacker Larry Pryor against Louisiana-Monroe.
Coach Jimbo Fisher said the Aggies need to have better coverage and be in better position to strip the football.
"You have to not eye violate and be there in place to make [plays]," Fisher said. "We just stared in the backfield sometimes [at Alabama] and let a guy go that our eyes should be on, and let him get two steps in front where you can't play the ball.
"It's hard to strip a ball when you're playing from behind and not closing ground."
The Razorbacks opened the year with a plus-5 margin after notching five fumble recoveries in its 55-20 victory over Eastern Illinois while not turning the ball over.
Arkansas is minus 7 on turnovers in its past two games.
Chase Hayden's lost fumble in the first quarter at Auburn was the Hogs' first fumble of the year.
Skipper visits
Dan Skipper, an All-SEC offensive lineman at Arkansas (2013-16) who started 47 consecutive games, visited practice on Tuesday.
Skipper said he was waived by the Detroit Lions after the season opener and is in Fayetteville working out in hopes of hearing from another NFL team.
"We'll see what happens," Skipper said. "Hopefully, I'll get a call."
Skipper spent last year with the Lions, primarily on their practice squad, and was on the practice squad when he was waived Sept. 5.
Frank Ragnow, an All-American center at Arkansas and first-round draft pick by Detroit, is starting at left guard as a rookie.
"Same old Frank we all knew at Arkansas," Skipper said. "Now he's just doing the same thing on the next level."
3 and outs
Arkansas held Auburn to four three-and-out series on offense, more than the Tigers had in their past two games combined.
"It is what it is," Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham said. "We've got to play better. But we found a way to win and that's all I care about."
By inches
Backup quarterback Cole Kelley converted a fourth-and-2 run from the Auburn 26 during the Razorbacks' lone scoring drive at Auburn, but he didn't do it without a little help.
Left guard Hjalte Froholdt pushed Kelley hard from behind after the sophomore's initial surge did not reach the line to gain, while Auburn defenders went low and tried to pull Kelley's legs backward. The officiating crew measured the spot, showing Kelley made the fourth-down conversion by a couple of inches.
Sports on 09/26/2018